Feature: So what’s in store for Gold Members with the new Xbox dash that’s actually free?

December 6th launches Microsoft’s latest update to the Xbox 360 dashboard. Bringing with it not just a new look, but a much heavier focus on apps. If you think it the new dashboard looks an awful lot like a Windows phone, it’s not a coincidence. Metro, the new style is something that Microsoft is bringing over to all of its products, including the upcoming Windows 8. Sure, some apps on the new dashboard are going to require a subscription similar to Netflix, but what can GOLD members look forward to for free? Let’s take a look at what that $60 a year is getting us.

YouTube - Microsoft is bringing a custom YouTube app to the new dashboard that will feature not just your favourites from your account it seems, but also YouTube’s new premium content. Shows like Machinima and IGNs daily feed, along with some of YouTube’s free to watch movies in HD. 

Crackle - Sony’s Crackle is home to on-demand Hollywood movies and TV series. Watch thousands of full-length movies and TV episodes, similar to Hulu Plus but without the monthly fees.

Manga Entertainment - Perhaps one of the best new free additions to the apps section. Microsoft has teamed up with Manga Entertainment to bring you full-length episodes and movies from the Manga Entertainment library which includes the likes of Appleseed, Blue Gender and Bleach. 

iHeartRadio - Adding over 800 new radio stations to listen to live anytime you want; IHeartRadio is boosting the Xbox’s free internet radio offering. We already have Last.FM which is nice but with IHeartRadio we get to listen to live radio from around the world. If you’ve ever listened to Shoutcast Radio — it’s basically the same thing. 

SyFy - The SyFy Channel (I still hate the new spelling) is bringing new original web series and some of their on air content in streaming episodes in HD to LIVE. You can expect original shows like Riese, Scare Tactics and Ghost Hunters International.

MSN with MSNBC - If you’re looking to get your news on the quick then MSN with MSNBC will have you covered. The MSN with MSNBC app will feature sports, entertainment and breaking news 24/7 with constant updates. Just take a look at MSN.com right now and you’ll get an idea of what to expect.

Daily Motion - Best known as the alternative to YouTube, Daily Motion will also be bringing its original shows to LIVE along with thousands of user created videos. If you can’t find it on YouTube, odds are Daily Motion has it. You can expect a multitude of short movies, news and gaming shows along with Daily Motion’s extreme sports webisodes.

So what does the future hold for LIVE and the new dashboard app wise?

Currently, TwitchTV the spinoff of Justin.TV is looking into bringing an app to the marketplace as well as Pandora Radio. With Amazon trying to get itself into just about every new Bluray player, we can expect to see Amazon Prime’s video streaming service making its way to LIVE early next year.

With Microsoft’s new app marketplace on LIVE, the sky seems to be the limit on what video and music content can be brought. Some free and some paid, but all worth a look.